SPECTRUM:
ARE WE QUEER ENOUGH?
Visual journey through the mental health challenges faced by LGBTQI+ people

This visual journey explores mental health challenges faced by LGBTQI+ people transcending geographical boundaries with a series of creative portraits and the goal to unveil their experiences of pain, resilience, and transformation.

Just like a spectrum this project aims to enlighten the variety of struggles queer people face that, at first sight, may seem disconnected from each other, but deeply they can be linked to the same question: Am I enough?

Coming out is just the first big step to deal with in the life of LGBTQI+ people, then it starts a total reconstruction of their life according to new social dynamics that clash with the education they received. It’s here that anybody starts on their own path entering the community and most of the time it includes words like anorexia, bulimia, drug dependency, self-harm, self-acceptance, and more.​​​​​​​
Within the walls of a house that doesn't see her, immersed in a deafening silence that screams disapproval, a young woman fights to assert her true essence. Born in Sicily to parents of Sri Lankan origin, Angelina finds herself facing a reality marked by prejudice and misunderstanding, both within her family and in the surrounding society. Her gender identity, divergent from the expectations of her socio-cultural background, becomes a significant obstacle in her journey of self-affirmation. Her heart, however, beats to the rhythm of a different melody. She longs for the freedom to express herself, to wear what makes her feel comfortable, to live her femininity without fear of judgment.
Within the walls of a house that doesn't see her, immersed in a deafening silence that screams disapproval, a young woman fights to assert her true essence. Born in Sicily to parents of Sri Lankan origin, Angelina finds herself facing a reality marked by prejudice and misunderstanding, both within her family and in the surrounding society. Her gender identity, divergent from the expectations of her socio-cultural background, becomes a significant obstacle in her journey of self-affirmation. Her heart, however, beats to the rhythm of a different melody. She longs for the freedom to express herself, to wear what makes her feel comfortable, to live her femininity without fear of judgment.
At the age of 18, this anonymous boy's life took a significant turn with his coming out. From that moment on, he found a sense of belonging and self-expression within the LGBTQIA+ community. However, his desire to feel accepted and appreciated led him to develop a problematic relationship with his body and with food.
At the age of 18, this anonymous boy's life took a significant turn with his coming out. From that moment on, he found a sense of belonging and self-expression within the LGBTQIA+ community. However, his desire to feel accepted and appreciated led him to develop a problematic relationship with his body and with food.
the pervasive social pressures to conform to specific beauty and behavioral norms proved to be a significant stressor. This unrelenting pressure eroded his self-esteem and psychological well-being, leading to a concerning regression into self-injurious behaviors – a maladaptive coping mechanism he had unfortunately developed during his childhood in Colombia.
the pervasive social pressures to conform to specific beauty and behavioral norms proved to be a significant stressor. This unrelenting pressure eroded his self-esteem and psychological well-being, leading to a concerning regression into self-injurious behaviors – a maladaptive coping mechanism he had unfortunately developed during his childhood in Colombia.
Fabrizio Recently returning to Catania Fabrizio had to face the misunderstanding and hostility of who cannot accept his free expression. He chose so to transform the insults into a powerful message of rebellion, he meticulously stitched each offensive word he received onto a white T-shirt, creating a masterpiece of resilience and reclaiming his identity.
Fabrizio Recently returning to Catania Fabrizio had to face the misunderstanding and hostility of who cannot accept his free expression. He chose so to transform the insults into a powerful message of rebellion, he meticulously stitched each offensive word he received onto a white T-shirt, creating a masterpiece of resilience and reclaiming his identity.
Connor has struggled with his body image since the age of 18. Entering the modeling world exposed him to rigid and unexpected beauty standards, pushing him to force his body to conform to unattainable standards. Bulimia became his refuge, a coping mechanism to manage anxiety and the insecurity of not being enough.
Connor has struggled with his body image since the age of 18. Entering the modeling world exposed him to rigid and unexpected beauty standards, pushing him to force his body to conform to unattainable standards. Bulimia became his refuge, a coping mechanism to manage anxiety and the insecurity of not being enough.
Even at the young age of five, Candy confided in her mother that she felt like a girl. This feeling intensified during adolescence, when she yearned for the growth of breasts and a feminine figure. The appearance of her body hair and beard, however, caused her profound distress, to the point of scratching her face in anguish.
Even at the young age of five, Candy confided in her mother that she felt like a girl. This feeling intensified during adolescence, when she yearned for the growth of breasts and a feminine figure. The appearance of her body hair and beard, however, caused her profound distress, to the point of scratching her face in anguish.
The main goal of the project is to create an itinerant photo exposition that should take place in different countries where LGBTQI+ rights are in danger or not recognised yet: starting from Italy, in the heart of Europe, Hungary and Poland.

This is an open project celebrating diverse voices. As I continue collecting stories for the long term, I'm especially interested in featuring experiences from lesbians, intersex, and non-binary individuals.
EXHIBITIONS:
ROME - Bar.lina - 7/9 June 2024

One of the deepest challenges he has faced in his life is racism against Asians. Often stereotyped as feminine, weak, and small, he has felt constant pressure to increase muscle mass to overcome these prejudices. On his body, I have painted Chinese words. On his left chest are the most common insults he has had to face, such as "not enough," "fragile," and "scared". On the right, instead, there are positive words like "pride," "identity," and "self-confidence".
One of the deepest challenges he has faced in his life is racism against Asians. Often stereotyped as feminine, weak, and small, he has felt constant pressure to increase muscle mass to overcome these prejudices. On his body, I have painted Chinese words. On his left chest are the most common insults he has had to face, such as "not enough," "fragile," and "scared". On the right, instead, there are positive words like "pride," "identity," and "self-confidence".
Cast in near-total obscurity, Simon's silhouette is shrouded in darkness, emblematic of the isolation he's experienced due to the lingering discrimination surrounding HIV within the gay community. A solitary ray of light delicately caresses a slender line of his face, gently illuminating one of his eyes.
Cast in near-total obscurity, Simon's silhouette is shrouded in darkness, emblematic of the isolation he's experienced due to the lingering discrimination surrounding HIV within the gay community. A solitary ray of light delicately caresses a slender line of his face, gently illuminating one of his eyes.
Her family, attached to traditional views, struggles to understand her genderfluid identity. Their attitudes, often marked by misunderstanding and indifference, make her feel invisible and unheard, but little by little, thanks to Veronica's own help, they begin to understand and free themselves from the prejudices of the past.
Her family, attached to traditional views, struggles to understand her genderfluid identity. Their attitudes, often marked by misunderstanding and indifference, make her feel invisible and unheard, but little by little, thanks to Veronica's own help, they begin to understand and free themselves from the prejudices of the past.
In 2013, Fran's life took an unexpected turn: he was diagnosed with blood cancer. He faced the treatments with courage and determination, undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During this difficult period, he noticed a disturbing change: the attitude of the people around him became colder and more distant. Yet, one butterfly perches gently on his lips, a poignant symbol of the mask he has worn long before the pandemic.
In 2013, Fran's life took an unexpected turn: he was diagnosed with blood cancer. He faced the treatments with courage and determination, undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. During this difficult period, he noticed a disturbing change: the attitude of the people around him became colder and more distant. Yet, one butterfly perches gently on his lips, a poignant symbol of the mask he has worn long before the pandemic.
His quest for the perfect body and approval also led him to abuse drugs and steroids. The addiction to these substances further worsened his mental state, leading him to live in a constant state of anxiety and insecurity. I portray him as a contemporary Narcissus emerging from the depths of his personal battle. His reflection is distorted and fragmented, similar to a sunken Narcissus, and summarizes the profound transformation he has undergone.
His quest for the perfect body and approval also led him to abuse drugs and steroids. The addiction to these substances further worsened his mental state, leading him to live in a constant state of anxiety and insecurity. I portray him as a contemporary Narcissus emerging from the depths of his personal battle. His reflection is distorted and fragmented, similar to a sunken Narcissus, and summarizes the profound transformation he has undergone.
The start of hormone therapy, a year ago, represents a fundamental step in George's journey towards greater psycho-physical well-being. The transition is allowing him to align his body with his gender identity and finally feel more comfortable with himself. His biggest fear is not having the space to express himself freely, of being forced to stifle his own identity to conform to a society that often labels him as "different".
The start of hormone therapy, a year ago, represents a fundamental step in George's journey towards greater psycho-physical well-being. The transition is allowing him to align his body with his gender identity and finally feel more comfortable with himself. His biggest fear is not having the space to express himself freely, of being forced to stifle his own identity to conform to a society that often labels him as "different".
Born and raised in Sicily, Manuel's childhood and adolescence were marked by a journey of self-discovery. His true identity, different from social and family expectations, began to manifest gradually, leading him to embark on a path of gender affirmation.
Born and raised in Sicily, Manuel's childhood and adolescence were marked by a journey of self-discovery. His true identity, different from social and family expectations, began to manifest gradually, leading him to embark on a path of gender affirmation.

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